FROM THE REGIONAL COMMISSIONERWhy Do We Need To Transform Youth Sports? Before I address this question, let me relate a recent experience. On Saturday evening, July 22, six members of Saratoga Soccer were introduced to a positive new vision for youth sports. Over that weekend, we were attending an AYSO "Camp" in Moraga intended to advance our coach, referee, and instructor skills and certifications. We were given the opportunity to hear of values and behaviors for youth sports that build upon the leadership position of AYSO. Too often today we hear of and see parents and spectators "losing it". We were introduced to some tools that we hope will become commonly used not only for AYSO, but also for all youth sports. Jim Thompson talked about "Mental Models", "DoubleGoal Coaches", "Honoring the Game", "Filling an Emotional Tank", "Mistake Rituals", and "Transforming Youth Sports So Youth Sports Can Transform Youth". (Jim is founder and director of Positive Coaching Alliance based at Stanford University where he teaches courses on leadership and coaching.) As I try to put these phrases into context, my goal is to get enough of us interested in his vision so that we help each other learn and apply these tools. Professional sports are considered entertainment. As such, winning is important in order to make the team/event more entertaining, thereby enhancing its business. However, youth sports should primarily be youth development, not entertainment. Very few of our children will ever make sports a career. As Jim states, "coaches act out of what they think a coach should be and do -that's a 'mental model'. And the mental model in youth sports today is a 'win-at all-cost' model." This does not mean that winning is not important, but it should not be the only goal. Jim goes on to say, "A Positive Coach is a 'Double-Goal Coach' who also wants to win but has a second goal: to help players develop positive character traits so they can be successful in life. The second goal, helping players learn 'life lessons', is by far the more important goal. A Positive Coach puts players first." Too often, we find coaches and spectators berating officials or players. "Honoring the Game" includes respect for officials even when you disagree, positive reinforcement for players who may have made mistakes, and respect for the opponents. We need to fill our players' "Emotional Tanks", not drain them. As Jim advises, "An athlete with a low emotional tank is irritable, less coachable, and unable to deal well with adversity. An athlete whose tank is full is cheerful, more coachable, and better able to deal with adversity." A player with a full tank tends to be more optimistic and does not get as easily discouraged when things do not go as desired. Discipline and motivation can be achieved in a positive manner with greater results. Players' tanks are filled by positive coaching, encouragement, tolerance of mistakes, and appreciation of their efforts. A team with a "Mistake Ritual" is more likely to have fun and excel, than a team that has trouble getting over a mistake. As Jim relates, "When a player on one very successful college basketball team makes a mistake on the court, his teammates put their hand up and down as if they were flushing a toilet. This quickly and effectively says: it's okay to make a mistake; let's get past it and focus on the next play." This is one way to help to fill a player's emotional tank. Finally, it is up to us to create and change the culture of our organization. AYSO is one of the leaders in youth development through sports. Through its five philosophies, especially Positive Coaching and Good Sportsmanship, we try to put youth sports in proper perspective. However, even we have a challenge today. We need to continue to improve our culture so that mistakes are learning, not embarrassing, opportunities; so that officials are given the respect they deserve; so that our children can continue to love the game even if they do not excel; so that we aren't quiet when someone behaves inappropriately. When a parent, spectator, or coach forgets to honor the game by making some negative comment, another parent (or child) could quickly remind them to please "honor the game" and that "those type of statements or actions are not part of our culture". Through our polite, positive actions, we can make a difference and help teach our children the values and behaviors that are most important. The AYSO philosophy is already well in line with Jim's messages. His ideas give us a new way to think about our program to help achieve mutual goals. If this gets you thinking of the importance of "Transforming Youth Sports So Youth Sports Can Transform Youth", as I hope it has, please check out the Positive Coaching Alliance website (www.positivecoach.org or via the link at our website, www.saratogasoccer.org). We are interested in all thoughts and comments, which should be sent to mark_linsky@hp.com. We hope that everyone has another great season and please remember in everything we do, "It's For the Kids."
Mark Linsky PRACTICE AND GAME FIELDSAs the interest in Saratoga Soccer grows, we are finding it more and more difficult to provide adequate practice and game fields. This year and next are going to be especially challenging as we deal with the remodeling of our schools (all five of them) and the refurbishment of Congress Springs Park in 2001. This year our program has grown from 93 teams to 104. At the same time, we have lost use of practice fields at Saratoga School, Foothill School, Argonaut School, and Redwood Middle School/lower. Through the help of the city and the wonderful consideration of some local churches, we have been able to obtain temporary use of some grassy fields. In addition, coaches may be asking each other to share their space, especially for lower division teams playing on larger fields. We appreciate the understanding of our coaches and parents with regards to the less than ideal situation. As for the refurbishment of Congress Springs Park, Mark Linsky is representing Saratoga Soccer as a member of the CSP Improvement Committee. We are in the process of working with the landscape architecture firm to integrate the needs of youth sports into the re-design of the fields. We have several objectives (more details are available at our website, www.saratogasoccer.org) including more fields, high usage, and low maintenance costs. As a necessity of this refurbishment, however, we will lose use of these fields for the 2001 fall season. We are working with the city to find alternative locations for that season. It is most likely that we will be looking to put fields and goals in at several of our school sites to accommodate the different divisions. Although this may mean loss of our snack shack and more traveling around for coaches, referees, and parents, the future benefits are very exciting. KEY CALENDAR DATESPlease note the following key dates. For more detail please refer to your Saratoga Soccer 2000 Regional Handbook or our website, www.saratogasoccer.org. August
September
October
November
December
SHORT-SIDED GAMESAYSO's National Support and Training Center (NSTC) has recommended the use of shortsided games in U6 through U10. This means the use of smaller fields and smaller number of field/team players for U6 (5/7 players), U8 (7/10 players), and U10 (9/12 players). By doing this, our players get much more field time and also get many more touches on the ball. This greatly enhances the fun and learning that they will have. In our region, we have been playing short-sided in U6 (7/9 players) and U8 (9/12 players). This year, we are trying to reduce the number of field players for U6, U8, and possibly U10 by expanding the number of teams in those divisions, thereby reducing the number of players per team. For some of these divisions, we will not reach peak registration which means that we will be able to have fewer players on the field. Based on the number of players per team and feedback from the coaches, your regional board will determine the number of field players and communicate this to all teams. At this time we are not going to implement any significant changes in our short-sided program, however we will be looking into this for the future. To make more formal changes, we will need to assess field availability, as well as increase in the number of coaches, assistants, and referees. BOARD MEMBER UPDATESWe have had several changes to your Regional Board since our Regional Handbook was published in March. CVPA Howard Miller has volunteered to be our CVPA, or Child and Volunteer Protection Advocate. His role is to work with National to ensure that we understand and abide by the guidelines for protecting our children and volunteers. AYSO has taken a leadership position in this area through its registration, training, and certification processes. Although some parents have expressed concern over the changes in the registration process, including the additional information that has been requested, this is all in support of ensuring that our volunteers meet at least minimal requirements for the safety of our children. I should also mention that Howard is a highly qualified referee who is a leader in our regional training program. He can be reached at 741-5642. Purchasing Co-Commissioner Unfortunately, Sunee Stephens has had to resign as our Purchasing Co-Commissioner for Pictures and Trophies. If you are interested in the position or know someone who you would recommend, please give Mark Linsky a call at 741-1725 or send him an email at mark_linsky@hp.com. IN MEMORY OF GERRY BABB and BILL SILVAThis past year we lost two key members of our Saratoga Soccer family: Gerry Babb and Bill Silva. Gerry was a well-liked and respected role model for our children and parents. As a longtime coach, referee, and parent in AYSO, Gerry clearly lived up to our ideals of positive coaching and good sportsmanship. The constant smile on his face was a reminder to all of us that we were here to have fun. This was most helpful when, as a referee, a coach may have challenged one of his calls or when, as a coach, a player may have become frustrated. He volunteered his time without question, providing leadership as a former Board Member, as well as spending many hours on the field. Bill had been a Coach and Assistant Coach in our region for many years. His commitment to our kids was outstanding. His enjoyment at being on the field was evident in his coaching style. Bill was well known and had many friends throughout Saratoga Soccer. He will be greatly missed. In memory of their outstanding contributions to our program and kids, and to remind all of us how they lived the values of AYSO, we have re-named our regional tournaments. Our Opening Season Tournament will be "The Gerry Babb Saratoga Soccer Opening Season Tournament" and our U10 Ending Season Tournament will be the "Bill Silva Saratoga Soccer U10 Tournament." LOST & FOUNDDid your daughter leave behind her backpack? Is your camera still on the bench? What about your son s soccer ball? Coach's bag missing? Car keys fall out of your pocket? Folding chair looking for a home?
If you find it,
turn it into the Snack Shack. If you've lost it, look for it at the Snack
Shack PLAYER and COACH CLINICSThis year we will be expanding our clinic program with MLS Camps, as well as continuing to offer coach mentoring for the first six weeks of the season and four Sunday player clinics. For the first time, we will have three division-focused training sessions. MLS Clinic for Parents and Coaches/Assistants
On Sunday, August 13, from 2:00 - 5:00, parents of Saratoga Division Focused Coach Clinics
Three separate clinics will be offered by Coaches from MLS Camps for U8 (August 20,9:00-12:00), U10/U12 (August 20, 2:00-5:00), and U14-U19 (August 27,2:00-5:00) coaches and assistants. These will be offered at Congress Springs Park at the times and dates noted. As a first time program we will be adjusting the agenda to meet the needs of the attendees. We expect that we will cover such areas as practice planning, drills, systems of play, game strategy, etc. (For additional info contact: Ernesto Marinero, Mark Chapman, or Mark Linsky) From September 5 to October 14, coaches can make arrangements to have an MLS Camps Coach attend one of their practices to provide 1 on 1 help and then to follow this up by attending one of their games for additional feedback (For additional info contact: Ernesto Marinero or Mark Linsky) Player Clinics
On four consecutive Sunday afternoons, starting September 17 through October &, MLS Camps Coaches will conduct skill clinics for goalkeepers, strikers, midfielders, and defenders. We are asking that an adult, either a coach or parent, attend with each child. Each coach or parent can attend with several players or an entire team. This will help the players get the most out of the clinic as the child tries to repeat the skill explained and demonstrated by the MLS Camps Coach. In addition, this will give coaches and parents additional knowledge about the sport. These clinics will be at Congress Springs Park from 2:30 - 4:30. (For additional info contact:
Ernesto Marinero or Tony Marsh) *
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